Forget the Whale is a seven-piece original band rooted in Jersey City, fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Alishia Taiping, whose rock-and-roll bloodline runs through her uncle, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Eddie Brigati of The Rascals.

 

​The lineup features Alishia (lead vocals), Dan Pieraccini (bass, vocals), Peter Durning (guitar, harmonica), AJ Zienowicz (drums, vocals), Amy Elise (keyboards, vocals), John Sequiera (trumpet and trombone), and Dan Landers (saxophone).

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Forget the Whale blends infectious pop and rock songwriting with the energy of funk, soul, blues, alternative, and just enough unpredictability to keep every song feeling fresh. Anchored by soaring vocals, driving rhythms, and a punchy horn section, the band's sound is equal parts sing-along anthem and dance-floor invitation. As one fan put it, "Every song is completely different. You never know what's going to happen next."

 

More than anything, Forget the Whale is a Jersey City band. They've become a familiar presence throughout the city's music scene, performing everywhere from the Grove Street PATH Plaza and Groove on Grove to Lincoln Park, Harsimus Cemetery, White Eagle Hall, local breweries, festivals, and neighborhood venues. Beyond Jersey City, they've brought their energetic live show to clubs and stages across New Jersey and New York City, including appearances at iconic venues such as The Bitter End and The Cutting Room, as well as state music festivals such as Maplewoodstock, Rocktoberfest, and SOPAC's "Summer Night Series."

 

Meanwhile, the band's music has had worldwide appeal, playing regularly in supermarkets in Europe, cafes in India, and even scoring innumerable podcasts and films, including the Indie Horror B-Movie Grandma.

Whether playing a packed festival, a neighborhood brewery, or an unexpected outdoor stage, Forget the Whale delivers the same thing every time: a high-energy performance full of memorable hooks, big brass, and the kind of musical surprises that keep audiences coming back.

 

Band bio: An original, genre-bending pop/rock, Jersey City-based, female-fronted septet with catchy, singable tunes and backed by a brassy horn section.